PEPTIDE HAVING ACTIVITY OF IMPROVING STATE OF SKIN, AND USE THEREOF

Abstract

 The present application relates to a peptide having the activity of improving the state of skin and use thereof, and provides a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a cosmetic composition for improving the state of skin including, as an active ingredient, the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to peptides having the activity of improving the state of skin and use thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Human skin is constantly subjected to changes, the most representative of which is the deterioration of skin function and decrease in visual beauty due to aging. Aging causes the formation of wrinkles in the skin, and typical factors for wrinkle formation include exposure to ultraviolet rays and decreased collagen biosynthesis, etc. Skin aging may be broadly categorized into endogenous aging, which is caused by genetic factors, and exogenous aging, which is caused by external environmental factors such as sun rays. Among them, in the case of exogenous aging it is known that aging may be prevented, treated or delayed by removing reactive oxygen species, promoting fibroblast proliferation and collagen biosynthesis, etc.

[0003] On the other hand, collagen, a major component of the extracellular matrix, is the main matrix protein produced by fibroblasts in the skin. Collagen forms the majority of organic matter in skin, tendons, bones, and teeth, with its content being particularly high in bone and skin (dermis). This collagen reduces with age and photoaging due to ultraviolet irradiation, which is known to be closely related to the formation of wrinkles in the skin. Furthermore, collagen plays an important role in wound healing, and by stimulating the synthesis of collagen in damaged epithelium, wounds may be repaired quickly and without scarring. In addition, it has been reported that as the biosynthesis of collagen is promoted, the density of the basal layer, etc. increases, the melanin pigment concentration per unit skin density decreases, and the effect of brightening skin tone may be expected.

[0004] Against this technical background, multifaceted studies are being conducted to improve skin conditions through mechanisms such as promoting collagen biosynthesis and enhancing the proliferation and activity of fibroblasts, etc. (Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1813629), but are still incomplete.

Disclosure

Technical Problem

[0005] One aspect is to provide a peptide consisted of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0006] Another aspect is to provide a cosmetic composition for improving state of skin including as an active ingredient a peptide consisted of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0007] Other objectives and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description, together with the appended claims and drawings. Any matter not described herein will be sufficiently recognized and inferred by those skilled in the art of the present application or a similar art, and the description is hereby omitted.

Technical Solution

[0008] Each of the descriptions and embodiments disclosed in the present application may be applied to other descriptions and embodiments. In other words, all combinations of the various elements disclosed in the present application fall within the scope of the present application. Furthermore, the scope of the present application is not to be considered limited by the specific description set forth below.

[0009] One aspect provides a peptide consisted of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0010] As used herein, the term "peptide" may refer to a linear molecule formed by combining amino acid residues to each other by peptide bonds. The peptides may be prepared according to chemical synthesis methods known in the art, in particular solid phase synthesis technique or liquid phase synthesis technique (US Registered Patent No. 5,516,891). As a result of diligent efforts to develop a peptide with biologically effective activity, the inventors of the present disclosure have identified a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Wherein the biologically effective activity may represent one or more characteristics selected from the following characteristics such as (a) promoting proliferation of fibroblasts or keratinocytes; (b) promoting the expression of extracellular matrix constituent factors collagen type 1 (Col1a1), fibronectin, or elastin; (c) enhancing the expression of skin barrier factors sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) or aquaporin-3 (AQP3); and (d) inhibiting apoptosis of fibroblasts or keratinocytes and reducing the level of reactive oxygen species. Thus, the peptide may be utilized for improving state of skin or for antioxidant purposes.

[0011] The peptide may have a protecting group bonded to the N- or C-terminus of the peptide to acquire chemical stability, enhanced pharmacological properties (half-life, absorption, titer, effect, etc.), altered specificity (for example, broad spectrum of biological activity), or reduced antigenicity. In an embodiment, an N-terminus of the peptide may be bonded with any one protecting group selected from the group consisting of an acetyl group, a fluoreonylmethoxycarbonyl group, a formyl group, a palmitoyl group, myristyl group, stearyl group, butoxycarbonyl group, allyloxycarbonyl group, and polyethylene glycol (PEG); and/or the C-terminus of the peptide may be bonded with any one protecting group selected from the group consisting of an amino group(-NH₂), a tertiary alkyl group, and an azide (-NHNH₂). Additionally, the peptide may optionally further include a targeting sequence, a tag, labeled residues, or an amino acid sequence prepared for the specific purpose of increasing the half-life or peptide stability.

[0012] As used herein, the term "stability" may refer to not only in vivo stability, which protects the peptide from attack by proteolytic enzymes in vivo, but also storage stability (for example, room temperature storage stability).

[0013] Another aspect provides a cosmetic composition for improving state of skin including as an active ingredient a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0014] In the above description of the peptide, the terms or elements referred to are the same as those already mentioned.

[0015] As used herein, the term "ameliorate" may refer to any act that at least reduces a parameter associated with the alleviation or treatment of a condition, for example the severity of a symptom.

[0016] As used herein, the term "improving state of skin" may comprehensively refer to the process or effect of treating, reducing, or alleviating skin damage, etc., caused by endogenous or exogenous factors of the skin, such as for example, the term may be interpreted as showing improvement of wrinkles, improvement of skin wound recovery, strengthening of skin barrier, or inhibition of skin aging, but is not limited thereto.

[0017] As used herein, "improving wrinkles," "improving skin elasticity," and "wound recovery" may refer to all actions that increases the total amount of extracellular matrix factors, including, promotion of collagen synthesis, etc. In addition, "strengthening of skin barrier" may also refer to strengthening the skin's natural function to prevent leakage of moisture and nutrients from the skin to the outside, and to prevent the penetration of harmful substances into the skin, such as bacteria and virus, etc. Furthermore, "inhibition of skin aging" may refer to inhibiting the deterioration of skin functions such as wrinkles, sagging of the skin, decreased elasticity, etc. In this case, the skin aging may be photoaging, for example, skin aging caused by ultraviolet rays.

[0018] Although prior functional peptides have effective biological activity, they have shown disadvantages such as not being able to effectively enter target tissue or cell due to the size of the peptide itself, or disappearing from the body in a short period of time due to their short half-life. On the other hand, a cosmetic composition according to an example has an excellent skin penetration rate of the active ingredient, and, for example, when applied topically to the skin, may effectively improve skin condition.

[0019] According to an example, it was possible to promote proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and to increase synthesis of extracellular matrix constituent factors and skin barrier factors. Additionally, the peptide was shown to be able to restore the inhibited activity of fibroblasts and keratinocytes and enhance their antioxidant effect. Thus, the peptide may be utilized as an active ingredient in a cosmetic composition for improving state of skin.

[0020] The cosmetic composition may include, a cosmetically effective amount of the peptide; and/or a cosmetically acceptable carrier, but is not limited thereto.

[0021] As used herein, the term "cosmetically effective amount" refers to an amount sufficient to achieve the skin condition improvement effect of the cosmetic composition.

[0022] The weight ratio between the peptide and a cosmetically acceptable carrier may be, for example, 500:1 to 1:500, for instance, the weight ratio may be 450:1 to 1:450, 400:1 to 1:400, 350:1 to 1:350, 300:1 to 1:300, 250:1 to 1:250, 200: 1 to 1:200, 150:1 to 1:150, 100:1 to 1:100, 80:1 to 1:80, 60:1 to 1:60, 40:1 to 1:40, 20:1 to 1:20, 10:1 to 1:10, 8:1 to 1:8, 6:1 to 1:6, 4:1 to 1:4, or 2:1 to 1:2, but is not limited thereto.

[0023] The cosmetic composition may be prepared in any formulation commonly prepared in the art, for example, may be formulated as a solution, a suspension, an emulsion, a paste, a gel, a cream, a lotion, a powder, a soap, a surfactant-containing cleanser, an oil, a powder foundation, an emulsion foundation, a wax foundation, and a spray, etc., but is not limited thereto. For example, the cosmetic composition may be prepared in the form of a softening lotion, nutrition lotion, nutrition cream, massage cream, essence, eye cream, cleansing cream, cleansing foam, cleansing water, mask, spray or powder.

[0024] If the formulation of the cosmetic composition is a paste, cream or gel, the carrier component may be an animal oil, vegetable oil, wax, paraffin, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivative, polyethylene glycol, silicone, bentonite, silica, talc or zinc oxide, etc.

[0025] If the formulation of the cosmetic composition is a powder or spray, lactose, talc, silica, aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicate or polyamide powder may be used as a carrier component and, for example, if the formulation is a spray, it may additionally include a propellant such as chlorofluorohydrocarbon, propane/butane or dimethyl ether.

[0026] If the formulation of the cosmetic composition is a solution or emulsion, a solvent, solubilizer or emulsifier is used as a carrier component and may include, for example, water, ethanol, isopropanol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butyl glycol oil, glycerol aliphatic esters, polyethylene glycol or fatty acid esters of sorbitan.

[0027] If the formulation of the cosmetic composition is a suspension, the carrier component may include a liquid diluent such as water, ethanol or propylene glycol, a suspending agent such as ethoxylated isostearyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene sorbitol esters and polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminum methahydroxide, bentonite, agar or tragacanth, etc.

[0028] If the formulation of the cosmetic composition is a surfactant-containing cleanser, the carrier component may include aliphatic alcohol sulfate, aliphatic alcohol ether sulfate, sulfosuccinic acid monoester, isethionate, imidazolinium derivative, methyl taurate, sarcosinate, fatty acid amide ether sulfate, alkylamidobetaine, aliphatic alcohol, fatty acid glyceride, fatty acid diethanolamide, vegetable oil, lanolin derivative, or ethoxylated glycerol fatty acid ester, etc.

[0029] The peptide may be incorporated into a nanosome or a nanoparticle to further improve skin penetration or stability issues. For example, the nanosome may be prepared by a microfluidizer using lecithin as a raw material, and may be incorporated in lecithin particles. Any method of preparing the nanosome may be used as long as it is known. The size of the nanosome particle is preferably 30 to 200 nm. If the size of the nanosome particle is less than 30 nm, skin penetration may progress very quickly, resulting in skin side effects, and if the size is greater than 200 nm, skin penetration may not be easy, making it difficult to achieve the effect of using the nanosome structure.

[0030] The ingredients included in the cosmetic composition include, in addition to peptides and carrier components as active ingredients, components commonly used in cosmetic compositions, and may include, for example, common adjuvants such as an antioxidant, stabilizer, solubilizer, vitamin, pigment, and fragrance.

[0031] The content of the peptide as an active ingredient contained in the cosmetic composition may be selected appropriately without limitation depending on the form of the product, the desired use, etc., and may be added, for example, from 0.01 to 15 wt% of the total weight of the cosmetic composition. Additionally, for example, the cosmetic composition may include the peptide in an amount of from 1.0 wt% to 3.0 wt%, preferably from 2.0 wt% to 3.0 wt%, based on the total weight.

[0032] Another aspect provides a method of improving skin condition, including applying to the skin of an individual a cosmetic composition including as an active ingredient a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; and a use of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 for the preparation of a composition for improving skin condition.

[0033] In the above description of the cosmetic composition, the terms or elements referred to are the same as those already mentioned.

[0034] As used herein, the term "subject" refers to a subject in need of improvement of a skin condition, and more specifically, a mammal, such as a human or non-human primate, mouse, dog, cat, horse, and bovine, etc.

[0035] As used herein, the terms "applying," "administering," and "applying" are used interchangeably and may refer to causing at least partial localization of a composition according to an example to a desired site, or to placing a composition according to an example into an individual by route of administration.

[0036] Another aspect provides an antioxidant composition including as an active ingredient a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0037] In the above description of the peptide, the terms or elements referred to are the same as those already mentioned.

[0038] The antioxidant composition may be in the form of a pharmaceutical composition, a prodrug composition, or a cosmetic composition, and in an example, the composition may be utilized as a cosmetic composition for improving skin condition, or as a pharmaceutical composition for improving or treating the condition of a disease associated with skin damage.

[0039] According to an example, the peptide was shown to be able to restore the inhibited activity of fibroblasts and keratinocytes and enhance their antioxidant effect. Thus, the peptide may be utilized as an active ingredient in an antioxidant composition.

[0040] The antioxidant composition may be provided, for example, in the form of a pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition may include, a pharmaceutically effective amount of the peptide; and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, but is not limited thereto.

[0041] As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically effective amount" may refer to an amount sufficient to achieve the effect of the pharmaceutical composition in preventing or treating a disease associated with skin damage.

[0042] The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is commonly used in formulations and include, lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starch, acacia gum, calcium phosphate, alginate, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, syrup, methyl cellulose, methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil, etc., but is not limited thereto. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and formulations are described in detail in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (19th ed., 1995).

[0043] The weight ratio between the peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be, for example, 500:1 to 1 :500, for instance, the weight ratio may be 450:1 to 1:450, 400:1 to 1:400, 350:1 to 1:350, 300:1 to 1:300, 250:1 to 1:250, 200: 1 to 1:200, 150:1 to 1:150, 100:1 to 1:100, 80:1 to 1:80, 60:1 to 1:60, 40:1 to 1:40, 20:1 to 1:20, 10:1 to 1:10, 8:1 to 1:8, 6:1 to 1:6, 4:1 to 1:4, or 2:1 to 1:2, but is not limited thereto.

[0044] In addition to the above ingredients, the pharmaceutical composition may additionally include, lubricants, humectant, sweetener, flavoring agent, emulsifier, suspending agent, preservative, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0045] The pharmaceutical composition may be administered orally or parenterally, preferably parenterally, and if parenterally administered, may be administered by, but not limited to, intramuscular injection, intravenous injection, subcutaneous injection, intraperitoneal injection, topical administration, transdermal administration, etc.

[0046] The dosage of the pharmaceutical composition may be, but is not limited to, 0.0001 to 1000 ug (micrograms), 0.001 to 1000 ug, 0.01 to 1000 ug, 0.1 to 1000 ug, or 1.0 to 1000 ug per day, and may be varied by factors such as method of formulation, mode of administration, patient age, weight, sex, medical condition, food, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion, and response sensitivity.

[0047] The pharmaceutical composition may be formulated, with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient, according to a method that could be readily practiced by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, and the composition may be prepared into a unit dosage form or may be contained in a multidose container.

[0048] The formulation may be in the form of a solution, suspension or emulsion in an oil or aqueous medium, or in the form of an extract, powder, granule, tablet or capsule, and may additionally include a dispersant and/or stabilizer.

[0049] Another aspect provides a food composition for improving state of skin including as an active ingredient a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0050] In the above description of the peptide, the terms or elements referred to are the same as those already mentioned.

[0051] The content of the peptide as an active ingredient contained in the food composition may be selected appropriately without limitation depending on the form of the food, the desired use, etc., and may be added, for example, from 0.01 to 15 wt% of the total weight of the food. Additionally, for example, the health drink composition may be added at a rate of 0.02 to 10 g, preferably 0.3 to 1 g, based on 100 ml.

Advantageous Effects

[0052] According to a peptide according to an aspect, it may be applied to improve skin condition, including wrinkle improvement, skin elasticity improvement, wound recovery, strengthening of skin barrier, or inhibition of skin aging, etc., by promoting proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and enhancing synthesis of extracellular matrix constituent factors and skin barrier factors.

[0053] According to a peptide according to an aspect, it may contribute to repairing skin damage that may be caused by the external environment, such as ultraviolet rays, etc., by restoring the impaired activity of fibroblasts and keratinocytes and enhancing their antioxidant capacity.

[0054] Therefore, the peptide according to an aspect may be used as an active ingredient in a composition for improving skin condition or an antioxidant composition.

Description of Drawings

[0055] 

FIG. 1 shows confirmation of the level of cell proliferation after addition of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 to skin cells, wherein A of FIG. 1 is a result illustrating a change in survival rate of NIH3T3 cells, and B of FIG. 1 is a result illustrating a change in survival rate of HaCaT cells.

FIG. 2 shows the results confirming an increase in the expression of an extracellular matrix constituent factor of Col1a1, fibronectin, and elastin after addition of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 to NIH3T3 cells.

FIG. 3 shows a quantitative evaluation of the expression levels of extracellular matrix constituent factors after addition of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 to NIH3T3 cells, wherein A of FIG. 3 is a result of confirming the expression level of Col1a1, B of FIG. 3 is a result of confirming the expression level of fibronectin, and C of FIG. 3 is a result of confirming the expression level of elastin.

FIG. 4 shows results confirming an increase in the expression of skin barrier factors SIRT-1 and AQP3 after addition of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 to HaCaT cells.

FIG. 5 shows a quantitative evaluation of the expression levels of skin barrier factors after addition of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 to HaCaT cells, wherein A of FIG. 5 is a result of confirming the expression level of SIRT-1 and B of FIG. 5 is a result of confirming the expression level of AQP3.

FIG. 6 shows the inhibitory effect on skin cell apoptosis induced by ultraviolet irradiation after addition of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 to skin cells, as confirmed by evaluating the survival rate, wherein A of FIG. 6 is a result illustrating a change in the survival rate of NIH3T3 cells, and B of FIG. 6 is a result illustrating a change in the survival rate of HaCaT cells.

FIG. 7 shows the antioxidant effect on skin cells induced by ultraviolet irradiation after addition of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 to skin cells, as confirmed by evaluating the level of reactive oxygen species, wherein A of FIG. 7 is a result illustrating a change in the level of reactive oxygen species of NIH3T3 cells, and B of FIG. 7 is a result illustrating a change in the level of reactive oxygen species of HaCaT cells.

Mode for Invention

[0056] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to examples. However, these examples are intended to illustrate the present disclosure by way of example and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

Example 1. Synthesis of peptides

[0057] A peptide with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 listed in Table 1 below was synthesized using an automated peptide synthesizer (Milligen 9050, Millipore, USA), and the synthesized peptide was purified by C18 reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Waters Associates, USA). The column used was an ACQUITY UPLC BEH300 C18 (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 µm, Waters Co, USA).

[Table 1]

SEQ ID NO:	Sequence (5'->3')
1	IHGTYKELLDTVTAP

Example 2. Confirmation of proliferation promoting effect on skin cells

[0058] In this example, the aim was to confirm the effect of a peptide according to an example on proliferation of skin cells, by evaluating changes in survival rate of NIH3T3 cells, which are mouse fibroblasts, or HaCaT cells, which are human keratinocytes.

[0059] Specifically, NIH3T3 cells or HaCaT cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of 5×10³ cells/well and cultured for 24 hours. The cells were then washed once with serum-free DMEM media, and the culture medium was replaced with serum-free DMEM media. Then, 50 µM or 100 µM of the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 was dispensed into the medium, and cultured in a CO₂ incubator at 37 °C for 72 hours. The culture was then washed twice with PBS and treated with 4 % paraformaldehyde (PFA) solution for 15 minutes to fix the cultured cells. The culture was then washed twice with distilled water, treated with SRB solution for 1 hour to stain the cells, washed with 1 % acetic acid solution, and dried. The dried culture was then dissolved in 20 mM Tris buffer solution and the absorbance at 560 nm was measured using a microplate reader (Molecular Devices, USA). In this example, the untreated group was used as the control group, and the group to which insulin-like growth factor was added (IGF) was used as the positive control group.

[0060] As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, it was confirmed that the proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes was promoted by the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Example 3. Confirmation of wrinkle improvement and elasticity enhancement effect

[0061] In this example, the aim was to confirm the effect of the peptide according to an example on improving endogenous skin aging, including improvement of wrinkles and enhancement of elasticity, etc., by evaluating the expression levels of collagen type 1 (Col1a1), fibronectin, or elastin, which are known components of the dermis.

[0062] Specifically, NIH3T3 cells were seeded in a 6-well plate at a density of 3×10⁵ cells/well and cultured for 24 hours. The cells were then washed once with serum-free DMEM media, and the culture medium was replaced with serum-free DMEM media. Thereafter, 50 µM or 100 µM of the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 was dispensed into the medium, and cultured in a CO₂ incubator at 37 °C for 24 hours. The culture was then washed twice with PBS, and RNA was isolated from the culture using easy blue (iNtRON, Korea). Using an RT kit (Enzynomics, Korea), 1 µg of the isolated RNA was reverse transcribed to synthesize the respective cDNA. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then performed using the cDNAs and primers Col1a1, fibronectin, and elastin. Meanwhile, the untreated group was used as the control group, and the group to which TGF-β1 was added (TGF-β1) was used as the positive control group, the nucleotide sequences of the primers used in this example are shown in Table 2 below.

[Table 2]

Primer Name		Sequence (5'->3')	SEQ ID NO:
Col1a1	Forward	CACCCTCAAGAGCCTGAGTC	2
	Reverse	AGACGGCTGAGTAGGGAACA	3
Fibronectin	Forward	CCAGGAACCGAGTACACCAT	4
	Reverse	ATACCCAGGTTGGGTGATGA	5
Elastin	Forward	GCAAGACCTGGCTTTGGACT	6
	Reverse	GGGAGTTTCTGGTTAGGGCTG	7
GAPDH	Forward	GGAGCCAAAAGGGTCATCAT	8
	Reverse	GTGATGGCATGGACTGTGGT	9

[0063] As a result, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it was confirmed that expression of extracellular matrix constituent factors Col1a1, fibronectin, and elastin was increased by the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Through the above results, it was found that the peptide according to an example contributes to the improvement of endogenous skin aging, including improvement of wrinkles and enhancement of elasticity, etc., by increasing extracellular matrix constituent factors.

Example 4. Confirmation of skin barrier strengthening effect

[0064] In this example, the aim was to confirm the effect of the peptides according to an example on skin barrier defense, by evaluating the expression levels of sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) or aquaporin-3 (AQP3).

[0065] Specifically, HaCaT cells were seeded in a 6-well plate at a density of 3×10⁵ cells/well and cultured for 24 hours. The cells were then washed once with serum-free DMEM media, and the culture medium was replaced with serum-free DMEM media. Thereafter, 50 µM or 100 µM of the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 was dispensed into the medium, and cultured in a CO₂ incubator at 37 °C for 24 hours. The culture was then washed twice with PBS, and RNA was isolated from the culture using easy blue (iNtRON, Korea). Using the RT kit (Enzynomics, Korea), 1 µg of the isolated RNA was reverse transcribed to synthesize the respective cDNA. Polymerase chain reaction was then performed using the cDNAs and primers sirtuin-1 and aquaporin-3. Meanwhile, the untreated group was used as the control group, and the group to which EGF was added (EGF) was used as the positive control group, the nucleotide sequences of the primers used in this example are shown in Table 3 below.

[Table 3]

Primer Name		Sequence (5'->3')	SEQ ID NO:
SIRT1	Forward	TCAGTGGCTGGAACAGTGAG	10
	Reverse	TCTGGCATGTCCCACTATCA	11
AQP3	Forward	CCTTCTTGGGTGCTGGAATA	12
	Reverse	ACACGATAAGGGAGGCTGTG	13
GAPDH	Forward	GGAGCCAAAAGGGTCATCAT	8
	Reverse	GTGATGGCATGGACTGTGGT	9

[0066] As a result, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, it was confirmed that the expression of skin barrier factors SIRT-1 and AQP3 was increased by the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Through the above results, it was found that the peptide according to an example contributes to skin barrier strengthening and skin anti-aging by increasing skin barrier factors.

Example 5. Confirmation of inhibitory effect on apoptosis of skin cells induced by ultraviolet rays

[0067] In this example, the aim was to confirm the effect of the peptide according to an example on the inhibition of apoptosis or cell recovery of skin cells induced by ultraviolet rays, by evaluating the change in survival rate of skin cells whose apoptosis was induced by ultraviolet irradiation.

[0068] Specifically, NIH3T3 cells or HaCaT cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of 1×10⁴ cells/well and cultured for 24 hours. The cells were then washed once with serum-free DMEM media, the culture medium was replaced with serum-free DMEM media, and 50 µM or 100 µM of the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 was dispensed to the culture medium. The culture medium dispensed with the peptide was cultured in a CO₂ incubator at 37 °C for 1 hour, transferred to an e-tube, mixed with 100 ul of PBS, and dispensed into a well plate. Afterwards, using a UV irradiator (VILBER LOURMAT, France), 6 J/cm2 ultraviolet rays were irradiated to NIH3T3 cells, and 15m J/cm2 ultraviolet rays were irradiated to HaCaT cells. The PBS in the well plate was then removed, 900 µL of the culture medium in which the peptides were dispensed was added, and the plate was cultured in a CO₂ incubator at 37 °C for 72 hours. The culture was then washed twice with PBS and treated with 4 % paraformaldehyde (PFA) solution for 15 minutes to fix the cultured cells. The culture was then washed twice with distilled water, treated with SRB solution for 1 hour to stain the cells, washed with 1 % acetic acid solution, and dried. The dried culture was then dissolved in 20 mM Tris buffer solution and the absorbance at 560 nm was measured using a microplate reader (Molecular Devices, USA). In this example, the untreated group was used as the control group, and the group to which Trolox was added (Trolox) was used as the positive control group.

[0069] As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, it was confirmed that the cell survival rate of fibroblasts and keratinocytes reduced by ultraviolet irradiation was restored by the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Through the above results, it was found that the peptide according to an example contributes to the inhibition of apoptosis of skin cells induced by ultraviolet rays.

Example 6. Confirmation of antioxidant effect on skin cells induced by ultraviolet rays

[0070] In this example, the aim was to confirm the effect of the peptide according to an embodiment on the antioxidant effect of skin cells induced by ultraviolet rays, by evaluating the level of reactive oxygen species in skin cells increased by ultraviolet irradiation.

[0071] Specifically, NIH3T3 cells or HaCaT cells were seeded in a 6-well plate at a density of 5×10⁵ cells/well and cultured for 24 hours. The cells were then washed once with serum-free DMEM media, the culture medium was replaced with serum-free DMEM media, and 50 µM or 100 µM of the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 was dispensed to the culture medium. The culture medium dispensed with the peptide was cultured in a CO₂ incubator at 37 °C for 1 hour, transferred to an e-tube, mixed with 100 ul of PBS, and dispensed into a well plate. Afterwards, using a UV irradiator (VILBER LOURMAT, France), 6 J/cm2 ultraviolet rays were irradiated to NIH3T3 cells, and 15m J/cm2 ultraviolet rays were irradiated to HaCaT cells. The PBS in the well plate was then removed, 900 µL of the culture medium in which the peptides were dispensed was added, and the plate was cultured in a CO₂ incubator at 37 °C for 24 hours. The culture was then treated with DCFG-DA (2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate), wrapped in foil, and cultured in a CO₂ incubator at 37 °C for 30 minutes. The culture was then washed twice with PBS and treated with 500 µL of 1 × trypsin/EDTA to obtain cells, which were then centrifuged. After washing the centrifuged cells with PBS, FL1 fluorescence values were measured through flow cytometry (FACS, BD, USA). In this example, the untreated group was used as the control group, and the group to which Trolox was added (Trolox) was used as the positive control group.

[0072] As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, it was confirmed that the level of reactive oxygen species in fibroblasts and keratinocytes increased by ultraviolet irradiation was reduced by the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Through the above results, it was found that the peptide according to an example contributes to the antioxidant effect on skin cells induced by ultraviolet rays.

Formulation Example 1. Softening lotion

[0073] A softening lotion including the peptide according to an example and consisting of the following composition was prepared using a method known in the art.

[Table 4]

Ingredient	Content (wt%)
Peptide	1.0
1,3-Butylene glycol	6
Glycerin	4
PEG 1500	1
Sodium hyaluronate	1
Polysorbate 20	0.5
Ethanol	8
Benzophenone-9	0.05
Preservatives, colorants	As required
Fragrance	As required
Purified water	Remainder
Total	100

Formulation Example 2. Nutrition cream

[0074] A nutrition cream including the peptide according to an example and consisting of the following composition was prepared using a method known in the art.

[Table 5]

Ingredient	Content (wt%)
Peptide	2.5
Meadowfoam oil	3
Cetearyl alcohol	1.5
Stearic acid	1.5
Glyceryl stearate	1.5
Liquid paraffin	10
Beeswax	2
Polysorbate 60	0.6
Sorbitan sesquioleate	2.5
Squalane	3
1,3-Butylene glycol	3
Glycerin	5
Triethanolamine	0.5
Tocopheryl acetate	0.5
Preservatives, colorants	As required
Fragrance	As required
Purified water	Remainder
Total	100

Formulation Example 3. Nutrition lotion

[0075] A nutrition lotion including the peptide according to an example and consisting of the following composition was prepared using a method known in the art.

[Table 6]

Ingredient	Content (wt%)
Peptide	3.0
1,3-Butylene glycol	4
Glycerin	4
Cetearyl alcohol	0.8
Glyceryl stearate	1
Triethanolamine	0.13
Tocopheryl acetate	0.3
Liquid paraffin	5
Squalane	3
Oils	2
Polysorbate 60	1.5
Sorbitan sesquioleate	0.5
Carboxyvinyl polymer	1
Preservatives, colorants	As required
Fragrance	As required
Purified water	Remainder
Total	100

Formulation Example 4. Essence

[0076] An essence including the peptide according to an example and consisting of the following composition was prepared using a method known in the art.

[Table 7]

Ingredient	Content (wt%)
Peptide	2.0
Glycerin	10
1,3-Butylene glycol	5
PEG 1500	2
Allantoin	0.1
DL-Panthenol	0.3
EDTA-2Na	0.02
Hydroxyethyl cellulose	0.1
Sodium hyaluronate	8
Carboxyvinyl polymer	0.2
Triethanolamine	0.18
Octyldodeceth-16	0.4
Ethanol	6
Preservatives, colorants	As required
Fragrance	As required
Purified water	Remainder
Total	100

[0077] The foregoing description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only, and one that has ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs will understand that the present disclosure may be readily adapted to other specific forms without altering the technical ideas or essential features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the examples described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

2. The peptide of claim 1, wherein an N-terminus of the peptide is bonded to any one protecting group selected from the group consisting of an acetyl group, a fluoreonylmethoxycarbonyl group, a formyl group, a palmitoyl group, myristyl group, a stearyl group, butoxycarbonyl group, an allyloxycarbonyl group, and polyethylene glycol (PEG).

3. The peptide of claim 1, wherein a C-terminus of the peptide is bonded to any one protecting group selected from the group consisting of an amino group (-NH2), a tertiary alkyl group, and azide (-NHNH2).

4. The peptide of claim 1, wherein the peptide exhibits one or more characteristics selected from the following characteristics:

(a) promoting proliferation of fibroblasts or keratinocytes;

(b) enhanced expression of an extracellular matrix constituent factor of collagen type 1 (Col1a1), fibronectin, or elastin;

(c) enhanced expression of a skin barrier factor sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) or aquaporin-3 (AQP3); and

(d) inhibition of fibroblast or keratinocyte apoptosis and reduction of reactive oxygen species levels.

5. A cosmetic composition for improving a state of skin, comprising the peptide of any one of claims 1 to 4 as an active ingredient.

6. The cosmetic composition of claim 5, wherein the improving of the state of skin is wrinkle improvement, skin elasticity improvement, wound recovery, strengthening of skin barrier, or inhibition of skin aging.

7. The cosmetic composition of claim 6, wherein the skin aging is skin aging caused by ultraviolet rays.

Drawing